Babar Azam’s Century Powers Peshawar Zalmi Into PSL 11 Final with Dominant Win Over Islamabad United

KARACHI: A sensational century from captain Babar Azam, backed by a clinical bowling display, guided Peshawar Zalmi to a commanding 70-run win over Islamabad United in the PSL 11 Qualifier at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.

With this victory, Zalmi stormed into the final of the tournament, while Islamabad United will get another chance to qualify when they face the winner of Eliminator 1 between Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore on May 1.

Chasing a massive target of 222, United were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs despite a brisk start. Openers Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas put together 58 runs in quick time before Conway departed on the last ball of the fifth over.

Minhas continued positively and top-scored with 44 off 23 balls, striking seven fours and a six, but lacked support as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Mohsin Riaz added 25, while skipper Shadab Khan managed just six before falling lbw to Aaron Hardie.

After reaching 100/4, United’s innings unraveled quickly, losing four wickets in rapid succession to slip to 126/8. Imad Wasim played a short counterattacking knock of 22 off 15 balls, but it was not enough to change the outcome as Mohammad Basit cleaned up the tail.

Hardie led the bowling effort with an impressive 3/24, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Basit claimed two wickets each. Michael Bracewell and Khurram Shahzad chipped in with one apiece.

Earlier, Islamabad’s decision to bowl first proved costly as Zalmi piled up 221/7 in their 20 overs, driven by Babar Azam’s superb innings.

Zalmi got off to a flying start with Babar and Mohammad Haris adding 72 runs for the opening stand before Haris was dismissed for a quick 35 off 16 balls.

Babar then stitched an 84-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who contributed a fluent 41 off 26 deliveries. A brief collapse followed as Zalmi lost three wickets in quick succession, but Babar held firm at one end.

The Zalmi skipper brought up his fourth PSL century in the 18th over and finished with a brilliant 103 off 59 balls, hitting 12 fours and four sixes. Aaron Hardie added late impetus with a quick 20, helping push the total beyond 220.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers with 3/42, while Richard Gleeson took two wickets. Faheem Ashraf and Salman Mirza chipped in with one each.